The Australian Federal Police Association (AFPA) supports the ACT Policing members involved in last night’s pursuit involving two allegedly stolen vehicles, while condemning the dangerous conduct alleged by police.
AFPA President Alex Caruana said the incident again showed the significant risks ACT Policing members face while protecting the Canberra community.
“No police officer should have a vehicle driven at them while doing their job.
“Our members acted in a difficult and dangerous situation involving allegedly stolen vehicles, a pursuit, a police vehicle being struck, and an officer being placed directly in harm’s way,” Mr Caruana said.
ACT Policing has advised that seven teenagers, aged between 14 and 19, were arrested following the incident. Police allege the vehicles mounted a kerb to avoid arrest, drove at an officer deploying stop sticks, and struck a police vehicle.
Mr Caruana said this type of offending created unacceptable risks for police, road users and the broader public.
“Driving at the police is not youthful mischief. It is dangerous, reckless, and it can have catastrophic consequences.”
“When stolen vehicles are used in this way, the risk does not sit only with the alleged offenders. It is carried by police, pedestrians, other drivers and families across Canberra.”
The AFPA also notes ACT Policing’s advice that four of the teenagers were allegedly subject to bail conditions or good behaviour obligations at the time of their arrest.
Mr Caruana said that detail should concern every Canberran.
“Where alleged repeat offending involves stolen vehicles, pursuits and direct risks to police, the justice system must respond in a way that protects the community and deters further offending.
“This is not about giving up on young people. It is about ensuring consequences are real, that intervention happens early, and that police are not left to repeatedly manage the same high-risk behaviour on the streets.
“Our members will always do their job, but they should not be placed at avoidable risk because the system has failed to disrupt repeat offending.
“We commend the ACT Policing members involved and thank them for their professionalism under pressure.”
Media Contact AFPA Media and Government Relations Manager Troy Roberts, (02) 6285 1677, troy.r@afpa.org.au
The Australian Federal Police Association (AFPA) supports the ACT Policing members involved in last night’s pursuit involving two allegedly stolen vehicles, while condemning the dangerous conduct alleged by police.
AFPA President Alex Caruana said the incident again showed the significant risks ACT Policing members face while protecting the Canberra community.
“No police officer should have a vehicle driven at them while doing their job.
“Our members acted in a difficult and dangerous situation involving allegedly stolen vehicles, a pursuit, a police vehicle being struck, and an officer being placed directly in harm’s way,” Mr Caruana said.
ACT Policing has advised that seven teenagers, aged between 14 and 19, were arrested following the incident. Police allege the vehicles mounted a kerb to avoid arrest, drove at an officer deploying stop sticks, and struck a police vehicle.
Mr Caruana said this type of offending created unacceptable risks for police, road users and the broader public.
“Driving at the police is not youthful mischief. It is dangerous, reckless, and it can have catastrophic consequences.”
“When stolen vehicles are used in this way, the risk does not sit only with the alleged offenders. It is carried by police, pedestrians, other drivers and families across Canberra.”
The AFPA also notes ACT Policing’s advice that four of the teenagers were allegedly subject to bail conditions or good behaviour obligations at the time of their arrest.
Mr Caruana said that detail should concern every Canberran.
“Where alleged repeat offending involves stolen vehicles, pursuits and direct risks to police, the justice system must respond in a way that protects the community and deters further offending.
“This is not about giving up on young people. It is about ensuring consequences are real, that intervention happens early, and that police are not left to repeatedly manage the same high-risk behaviour on the streets.
“Our members will always do their job, but they should not be placed at avoidable risk because the system has failed to disrupt repeat offending.
“We commend the ACT Policing members involved and thank them for their professionalism under pressure.”
Media Contact AFPA Media and Government Relations Manager Troy Roberts, (02) 6285 1677, troy.r@afpa.org.au
